Chapter 548 Bon Appetit
Haihan's maritime armed forces became famous overnight after the battle with Liu Xiang's pirate gang at the Pearl River Estuary at the end of the first year of Chongzhen in 1628. In the next year or two, news came back from overseas one after another, saying that Haihan sent troops across the sea to help the Annan court quell the civil strife, and that even the group of Westerners living in Haojing'ao were surrendered by the Haihan militia. Its maritime combat power has far surpassed that of the Guangdong Navy.
However, despite Haihan's strong strength, the people along the coast do not have any sense of crisis, because the public image of Haihan people has always been relatively positive. Although the local government felt that it was inappropriate for the Haihan people to act like this, they were based in Yazhou, so it was the Yazhou government's responsibility to coordinate with the Haihan people. Therefore, the officials in Guangdong are happy to pretend to be deaf and dumb. After all, the Haihan people have money and people, and they also have the mysterious ability to predict curses. Even the former governor of Guangdong and Guangxi inexplicably fell into trouble. Not everyone is willing to offend this big trouble.
The Haihan people have always had armed warships stationed at the Pearl River Estuary. Not only the people but also the government knew about this, but no one planned to make any fuss about it. Of course, ordinary people can't do much. Although the Haihan people are very rich, they are not easy to exploit. If you want to get benefits from them, you have to be either a hired worker or a partner. It won't work with your brain. of. And these warships have indeed brought peace and stability to the Pearl River Estuary. Since the Haihan people settled here, even the sporadic water bandits and pirates have been wiped out.
Although Haihan's warships often perform escort missions, they have never provided official services. This is also known to everyone. The reason is also very simple. Haihan's armed escort is a paid service, but no official ship will be willing to pay this amount. money. As for the government directly issuing administrative orders, I'm sorry. The Haihan militia has never listened to instructions or propaganda. Only when they want to take action will they say hello to the government in advance. What Maliko meant by these words was to tell the alternate officials present that if Liu Qian hadn't come to ask for this favor, Haihan would probably not have bothered to participate.
Although the officials present felt that Maliko's words were a bit arrogant, the fact was that it was true, and they had just accepted the benefits Maliko had given them, so it was not easy to immediately become angry.
Malico continued: "The current security situation on Qiongzhou Island has not yet completely stabilized, and there are still sporadic pirate activities on the island. In order to ensure your personal safety, I suggest that after you arrive in Qiongzhou, you cooperate with our local enforcement Various safety protection measures to avoid accidents. ”
Someone responded: "What could happen? Aren't all the pirates beaten away by your militia?"
Maliko smiled and said: "Since it is an accident, it is something unpredictable. In short, safety is the first priority. You adults don't want anything to happen during your term, right?"
Maliko's words became even more explicit, and Liu Qian quickly stood up and said: "Director Ma's reminder is also for the safety of all adults. I would like to thank Mr. Wang and all the adults present!"
When Liu Qian brought out Wang Zunde's sign, it would be difficult for those present to argue with Malike, otherwise wouldn't it mean that they were going against the Governor?
Maliko did not stubbornly continue to exert his opinions, but gave up as soon as he could. He followed Liu Qian's words and said: "Now the Governor has temporarily handed over several counties and counties in Qiongzhou Prefecture to our custody, so I would like to express my gratitude to you all." We at Haihan also have to bear some responsibility for safety issues. As long as you adults can cooperate, everyone's life will be smoother. Okay, I won't say any more nonsense. Come on, adults, get ready to go! Our armed ships will join the fleet in Panyu County and escort them all the way to Qiongzhou.”
The sailboats used by officials are basically rented from the market. Of course, some of them are arranged by related households. The boats are all in the shape of traditional Guangzhou boats. As for the size, they vary, from small boats with a hundred materials to large boats. There are large ships worth four hundred materials, which presumably is related to the respective official ranks and financial resources of these officials. There are also people who are familiar with each other, and two or three families rent a boat together to travel.
The officials' luggage and family servants were already on board, so boarding didn't take long. About half an hour later, the group of nine sailboats left the pier one after another. Maliko and Liu Qian stood on the pier, smiling and slowly waving goodbye to the people on board.
"Master Liu, you must have received a lot of benefits from this screening of candidate officials, right?" Maliko continued to wave his arms to the people on the deck, but he was talking about completely unrelated topics.
Liu Qian also responded without changing his expression: "I am wronged by what Director Ma said. The criteria for selecting officials this time are based on your requirements. Speaking of benefits, I can get them from it." How can it be more beneficial than yours? ”
Maliko said: "We require screening of candidate officials out of good intentions. If these people go to the local area and are unwilling to cooperate with us in governing the local area, it will affect the business."
Liu Qian glanced at Malike with a half-smile and said: "Director Ma, there is no need to go around and around when talking to each other. What plans you have on Qiongzhou Island are your business. I don’t have an official position, so I have no interest in meddling in this business.”
"I just like Master Liu's calm temper." Malik also laughed: "I just want to tell you something. The land at Zhennan Port has been used up, and we plan to start from Hong Kong Island again. What do Master Liu think about requisitioning some land?”
Liu Qian raised his eyebrows, thinking that these Haihan people really had no time to spare all day long. They hadn't even finished the affairs on Qiongzhou Island, and now they were eyeing Hong Kong Island again. When the Haihan people wanted the land in Zhennangang, Liu Qian helped with the operation. However, from the tone of Maliko's words, it was obvious that he was not thinking about such a small matter as asking for an additional one or two hundred acres of land, so he also He didn't rush to express his position, but just stared at Maliko with questioning eyes, waiting for him to continue.
Upon seeing this, Maliko continued: "There is no flat land on the south side of Hong Kong Island. Once a few business houses are built, all the open space is basically taken up. The executive committee hopes to get some more from the north of the island. Land and build several docks specifically for docking ships from the Fujian direction.”
"How much land do you plan to ask for? In which location?" Liu Qian could only ask about the situation first. After all, he could handle this kind of matter for him, but he was not the one who made the final decision.
"Shau Kei Wan, the terrain there is barely adequate. Ships entering and leaving the port have a shelter from the wind." Malik said with a relaxed expression.
Liu Qian suddenly took a breath of air. Haihan and his gang were really good at picking places and specifically targeting the places where trouble was going to happen. Shaujiwan is now the location of the water stronghold of the Ming Dynasty Navy. If Haihan gets this place, what will the navy stationed there do?
Move? Wouldn't it be a big joke for the dignified imperial officers and soldiers to make room for local militia? Not moving? With the hundreds of old, weak, sick and disabled stationed on Hong Kong Island, and a dozen boats that can only be used for fishing, how can they stop Haihan's large boats equipped with artillery?
Liu Qian thought of two results in an instant, but no matter which one, it seemed difficult to accept. He also knew that as Maliko, he would definitely not say such a thing as a joke. Since it was brought up in front of him, it must be that the Haihan Executive Committee has made relevant decisions. It just depends on what method is used in the end. Just implement it. "Shau Kei Wan...could this place be a little bit sensitive?" Liu Qian thought about it, but still didn't dare to agree to Malik's request. It is a trivial matter for the Haihan people to occupy land. They can occupy as many places as Wanshan Island if they want, but Shau Kei Wan is an important military location guarding the gateway to the waterway between Hong Kong Island and the mainland. Let Haihan occupy it. Whether it is the military or local government, it is difficult to explain to the superiors.
Malico probably had anticipated Liu Qian's attitude, and said with a smile: "Master Liu just said that you and I don't need to talk in circles. How come you forgot so quickly?"
Liu Qian responded awkwardly: "Director Ma, I know that you are very knowledgeable, and if you want to get that piece of land, you can get it no matter what. But I must remind you that Shaujiwan is where our army is stationed. It’s very different from the ordinary Borderlands!”
"If it were the Borderlands, I wouldn't come here specifically to ask for your opinion." Maliko nodded and said, "I understand what you are worried about. In fact, this problem can be easily solved. It just depends on the local Ming army's water level." The teacher is not willing to cooperate with us.”
Liu Qian responded: "I would like to hear the details."
"As far as we know, the navy has only a few hundred troops and less than twenty warships. Moreover, the personal condition of the soldiers and the morale of the entire unit are very poor, and there is no combat effectiveness. Liu Xiang said in the past few years When they were showing off their power at the mouth of the Pearl River, this naval force had been hiding in its shell." Malik paused and looked at Liu Qian and said seriously: "We also know the imperial court and Guangdong. The government has no ability to change this situation, but this is exactly what we can do.”
"How can this be done?" Liu Qian shook his head repeatedly. Although he had not visited the area, he could get some idea of the situation of the navy in Shau Kei Wan from the daily official documents of the Governor's Mansion. A few years ago, the General Soldier of Guangdong reported to the imperial court and the Ministry of War to ask for money. I want to purchase new ships and weapons and equipment, and rectify the pirate gangs along the coast of Guangdong. However, more than half of the imperial court's military investment was thrown into the bottomless pit of northern Xinjiang, and there was simply no extra money to maintain maritime security in the south. After all, compared with the distant Lingnan, the barbarians from outside the pass who come to knock off the pass almost every year are much more terrifying. No matter how hard the pirates in the south are, can they still fight their way to the capital?
However, the report submitted by the Guangdong General Soldier stated that the increase in military expenditure alone was as high as tens of thousands of taels of silver, so this application was shot down without any suspense. The navy in Guangdong continues to use outdated equipment, and the combat effectiveness of the navy stationed in Shaujiwan is about the same as the Yazhou navy that the travelers encountered when they first arrived in Sanya. It's okay for such troops to scare thieves, but for big pirates like Liu Xiang who have become popular, they can only choose to pretend to be a turtle to avoid his sharp edges. Of course, after Liu Xiang left, the pressure on them became the Haihan people. After receiving Haihan's force response to the initial temptation, the navy group repeated their old tricks and retreated to Shau Kei Wan and stopped dispatching. .
Liu Qian knew that the Haihan people had a good way of training troops, but if they wanted to change the face of this navy, it would not only be training. They would also have to change ships and weapons, and it was obviously impossible for the Haihan people to spend their own money to do this. That's why he felt that Maliko's proposal simply lacked feasibility.
Maliko smiled and said: "As long as we want to do something, nothing is impossible. I know you think that those sailors are hopeless and can't be trained no matter how hard they practice. In fact, my point of view is different from yours." It’s the same. So in order to change this situation, we can only solve it from the root cause - replace all the inappropriate people and equipment with the same ones as the navy of our Haihan Militia. "< br>
"I'd be like you..." Liu Qian frowned and repeated Malik's words, always feeling that something was wrong: "...just like you!"
Liu Qian suddenly raised his head and said: "You are... planning to send someone to replace them directly!"
"How ugly it sounds to replace!" Malik laughed and said: "This is our money and effort to help the Navy replenish its troops and combat effectiveness. The court saves time and worry, what's wrong with that?"
Liu Qian opened his mouth and was speechless for a moment. He didn't expect the Haihan people to be so bold. They didn't intend to drive away the navy at all, but wanted to swallow the navy and their signboards directly.
"You are so audacious!" Liu Qian held it in for a long time before he said it. He really didn't know how to better describe the Haihan people's rampant behavior.
Maliko shook his head and said: "Master Liu, the matter is not as serious as you think. The Ming Dynasty Navy is still the Ming Dynasty Navy after changing people. Why should you continue to do it? You won't go against the court. Why are you so nervous? ?”
"Having said that, how can you deceive others and hide the truth from others..." Liu Qian obviously did not agree with Maliko's statement.
"Yes." Malik interrupted Liu Qian: "It's not difficult to do this. It's just two words - money. If you take care of all the links that need to be taken care of, you can do it. .”
Liu Qian is also a person with a quick mind, and he immediately understood what he meant: "You...have already done this in Qiongzhou!"
Maliko looked at him with a smile. This kind of thing was not only done in Qiongzhou, but also in far more than one or two places. At the earliest, it was Yacheng. From the navy to the garrison, it was gradually replaced by the Haihan militia. Then this practice was promoted in Qiongnan, and now it has been gradually implemented in the newly occupied areas of Qiongbei.
(End of chapter)